Faculty Bibliography

INTRODUCTION/UNASSIGNED:Chronic gastrointestinal bleeding in patients with Crohn's disease presents diagnostic challenges. Adult intussusception is rare and typically caused by a pathological lead point, such as a tumor or inflammatory lesion. Lipomas, though benign, can lead to obstruction and bleeding, requiring differentiation from inflammatory causes for appropriate management. CASE PRESENTATION/UNASSIGNED:A 70-year-old male with Crohn's disease and chronic anemia presented with recurrent obscure gastrointestinal bleeding. Initial endoscopy was unremarkable, but capsule endoscopy identified a bleeding jejunal lesion. Double-balloon enteroscopy and imaging confirmed a jejunal lipoma causing intermittent intussusception. Due to persistent anemia, the patient underwent laparoscopic resection, with pathology confirming an ulcerated lipoma. His anemia resolved postoperatively. CONCLUSION/UNASSIGNED:This case underscores the importance of considering structural lesions like lipomas in patients with chronic bleeding and Crohn's disease. A multimodal approach, including advanced imaging and enteroscopy, is crucial for accurate diagnosis and management. Surgical resection remains the preferred treatment for symptomatic small bowel lipomas.

BACKGROUND:Open Hartmann's procedure has traditionally been the procedure of choice to treat complicated diverticulitis. We analyzed the ACS-NSQIP database to compare outcomes in patients who underwent emergent laparoscopic Hartmann's procedure (LHP) to those who had an open Hartmann's procedure (OHP). STUDY DESIGN/METHODS:Data analyzed from 2015 to 2019 using ICD-10 codes. Patients were matched on several important covariates using a propensity score matching method (PSM). Patients were matched in a 4:1 ratio of controls to cases based on the propensity score. RESULTS:We identified 5026, of which 456 had LHP and 4570 had OHP. PSM analysis yielded 369 LHP and 1476 OHP patients. LHP had lower rates of superficial surgical site infection (SSSI) compared to OHP (2.44% vs. 5.89%, p = 0.007). LHP had similar post-operative outcomes compared to OHP, including 30-day mortality (5.15% vs. 2.98%, p = 0.060), organ space surgical site infection (OSSSI) (14.36% vs. 12.60%, p = 0.161), wound disruption (1.36% vs. 2.44%, p = 0.349), median LOS (8 vs. 9 days, p = 0.252), readmission within 30 days (11.92% vs. 8.67%, p = 0.176), rate of reoperation (6.0 vs. 6.5%, p = 0.897), and discharge to home (76% vs. 77%, p = 0.992). LHP had longer operative times compared to OHP (median 129 vs. 118 min, p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION/CONCLUSIONS:The LHP is associated with lower rates of SSSI. However, it is not associated with lower rates of mortality, OSSSI, readmissions and reoperations within 30 days. Surgical times are longer in LHP. More studies are needed to determine whether LHP offers advantages in the long-term, particularly in rates of incisional hernia and colostomy closure.

Background and Objectives/UNASSIGNED:Despite the growth of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) in many specialties, open colon surgery is still routinely performed. The purpose of this study was to compare outcomes and costs between open colon and minimally invasive colon resections. Methods/UNASSIGNED:test was used for categorical variables. Multiple Logistic and Quintile regression were used for multivariable analyses. Results/UNASSIGNED:A total of 88,405 elective colon resections (open: 56,599; minimally invasive: 31,806) were reviewed. A significantly larger proportion of patients undergoing minimally invasive surgery were obese (body mass index > 30) compared to those undergoing open surgery (71.4% vs. 59.6%; p < 0.0001). As compared to minimally invasive colectomy, open colectomy patients had: a longer median length of stay [median (range): 7 (4-13) days vs. 4 (3 - 6) days, p < 0.0001], higher 30-day readmission rate [n = 8557 (15.1%) vs. 2815 (8.9%), p < 0.0001], higher mortality [n = 2590 (4.4%) vs. 107 (0.34%), p < 0.0001], and a higher total direct cost [median (range): $13,582 (9041-23,094) vs. $9013 (6748 - 12,649), p < 0.0001]. Multivariable models confirmed these findings. Conclusion/UNASSIGNED:Minimally invasive colon surgery has clear benefits in terms of length of stay, readmission rate, mortality and cost, and the routine use of open colon resection should be revaluated.

OBJECTIVE:To determine whether clinical evaluation reporting using the IDEAL (Idea, Development, Exploration, Assessment and Long-term study) framework improves a novel double-balloon endoscopic stabilization technology. DESIGN/METHODS:Observational registry 6 month study with no follow-up. Using the Prospective Development Study (PDS) format recommended by the IDEAL collaboration, we report on continued refinement and optimization of an endoscopic stabilisation platform during a clinical study conducted by two clinicians from the first case onwards. Key outcomes (ability to reach cecum, inflation of balloons in the sigmoid and ascending colon, and complications) were prospectively reported for each patient sequentially. All changes to technique were highlighted, showing when they occurred and an explanation for the change. RESULTS:30 colonoscopies were undertaken using the device from April to September 2017. Two patients were excluded from the analysis for protocol deviations. Cecum was reached in 89% of the per protocol population of patients in an average time of 13.5 ± 11 minutes. Therapeutic zone creation was successful in 89% of patients on the right side of the intestine and 100% in those that reached the sigmoid. There were five deliberate changes in technique that occurred during the study that enabled improved device technical performance. There were no serious complications and one polyp was removed successfully using the device. Clinicians reported endoscope stability and increased visibility of the intestinal mucosa increased when using the device. CONCLUSION/CONCLUSIONS:The IDEAL framework provided a structured reporting of the changes made to technique. Those changes facilitated a device that is safe, has achieved stability with improved performance.

Interdigitating dendritic cell sarcoma (IDCS) is a rare neoplasm arising from a subclass of dendritic cells, known for their role in mediating various immunological functions, including T-cell mediated immunity. Although existing literature on IDCS is limited to scattered reports, extranodal manifestation in the gastrointestinal tract, and in particular, the rectum is extremely rare. To our knowledge, we report only the second case of IDCS arising in the rectum in a young 20-year-old man, successfully managed surgically and with a good oncological outcome. Existing literature on the incidence, pathophysiology and treatment strategies is also examined.

OBJECTIVE:To evaluate causes and predictors of readmission after new ileostomy creation. BACKGROUND:New ileostomates have been reported to have higher readmission rates compared with other surgical patients, but data on predictors are limited. METHODS:A total of 1114 records at 2 associated hospitals were reviewed to identify adults undergoing their first ileostomy. Primary outcome was readmission within 60 days of surgery. Multiple logistic regression was used to identify independent predictors; area under the receiver-operator characteristic curves (AUC) were used to evaluate age-stratified models in secondary analysis. RESULTS:In all, 407 patients underwent new ileostomy; 58% had cancer, 31% IBD; 49% underwent LAR, 27% colectomy, and 14% proctocolectomy. Median length of stay was 8 days. Among the patients, 39% returned to hospital, and 28% were readmitted (n = 113) at a median of 12 days postdischarge. The most common causes of readmission were dehydration (42%), intraperitoneal infections (33%), and extraperitoneal infections (29%). Dehydration was associated with later, longer, and repeated readmission. Independent significant predictors of readmission were Clavien-Dindo complication grade 3 to 4 [odds ratio (OR) 6.7], Charlson comorbidity index (OR 1.4 per point), and loop stoma (OR 2.2); longer length of stay (OR 0.5) and age 65 years or older (OR 0.4) were protective. Cohort stratification above or below age 65 revealed that older patient readmissions were more predictable (AUC 0.84) with more preventable causes, whereas younger patient readmissions were difficult to predict or prevent (AUC 0.65). CONCLUSIONS:Readmissions are most commonly caused by dehydration, and are predicted by serious complications, comorbidity burden, loop stoma, shorter length of stay, and age. Readmissions in older patients are easier to predict, representing an important target for improvement.

INTRODUCTION/BACKGROUND:Industry funding of surgical training programs poses a potential conflict of interest. With the recent implementation of the Sunshine Act, industry funding can be more accurately determined. OBJECTIVE:To determine the financial relationship between faculty surgeons within colon and rectal fellowship programs and industry. DESIGN/METHODS:Review of industry funding based on the first reporting period (August-December, 2013) using the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services online database. SETTING/METHODS:ACGME certified colon and rectum surgical fellowship programs. PARTICIPANTS/METHODS:Overall, 343 Faculty surgeons from 55 colon and rectum surgical fellowship programs were identified using the American Board of Colon and Rectum Surgery website. There was complete identification of faculty surgeons in 47 (85.5%) programs, partially complete identification (i.e., >80%) in 6 (10.9%) programs, and inadequate identification of faculty in 2 (3.6%) programs. MAIN OUTCOME/RESULTS:Industry funding as defined by the Sunshine Act included general payments (honorariums, consulting fees, food and beverage, and travel), research payments, and amount invested. RESULTS:In all, 69.1% of program directors and 59.4% of other faculty received at least one payment during the reporting period (Δ9.7%, 95% CI: -4.4% to 23.8%, p = 0.18). Program directors received higher amounts of funding than other faculty ($7072.90 vs. $2,819.29, Δ$4,253.61, 95% CI: $1132-$7375, p = 0.008). Overall, 49 of 53 (93%) programs had surgeons receive funding, with a median of 3.5 surgeons receiving funding per program. A total of 65 companies made payments to surgeons, with 80.1% of the funding categorized as general payments, 16.2% as investments, and 3.7% as research payments. CONCLUSIONS:Industry funding was common. This financial relationship poses a potential conflict of interest in training fellows for future practice.